Discussion

Trattoria Toscana: Very Good Old-School West Village Italian

Went to Trattoria Toscana on Carmine Street after the Film Forum on Saturday night and loved it. Just the sort of traditional homey Italian place that the Village used to be chock full of with very good food and a welcoming staff. Healthy portions of chicken with sausage and red peppers in a light brown sauce and a double pork chop were both delicious; good, fresh veggies included with the entree and served family style; excellent bread; mascarpone cheesecake and amaretto cake served gratis; reasonably priced wine list. Wonderful discovery!

We love this place. It's run by the guy who owned Cent' Anni, which closed a few years ago and was just down the block from Trattoria Toscana. The owner (whose name escapes me) spent several years in Phoenix but moved back to New York. I think his daughter is a dancer, maybe with the NYC Ballet or ABT and he wanted to be able to see her perform.

Rabbit is occasionally on the menu and that's a treat worth seeking out. But the food is always very good and I've had some great wine there too. We've really been enjoying these old school West Village Italian places lately. You can usually get in without much of a reservations hassle, the food is always good and the prices reasonable. We like Piccolo Angolo, La Lanterna, and Pesce Pasta Trattoria. They're all wonderful in their own way but I think the food at Trattoria Toscana may be a slight cut above the rest, with a slightly nicer room. But they're all worth seeking out.

I just discovered that one of our faves, Rocco's on Thompson Street, is closed. I'm heartbroken. I loved that place.